October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the United States, and Oakton Community College is screening the award-winning documentary, "Miss Representation," as part of its efforts to promote awareness.

The public is invited to this free event, 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 17, in Room P103, at the college's Skokie campus, 7701 N. Lincoln Avenue. A panel discussion and question and answer session will follow.

"Oakton has chosen to show this powerful documentary because it portrays the ways in which media plays a strong role in a message to girls and women that they are valued less for their brains and more for their beauty," said Coordinator for Access, Equity and Diversity Karishma Kamath. "Sexual objectification of girls and women portray them in a way that that allows for them to not to be treated as human beings and with dignity. This objectification induces shame and fear in women about themselves and continues to promote violence against girls and women."

Directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, "Miss Representation" premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and portrays how mainstream media and culture contribute to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence. The film includes accounts from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, entertainers, activists and academics. It challenges the media's often disparaging portrayals of women and girls that make it difficult for females to achieve leadership positions.

After strong support for the documentary, Newsom founded The Representation Project, a nonprofit organization that aims to inspire individuals to create a world free of limiting stereotypes and social injustices.

Call 847-376-7604 for more information.

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